News: 20-26 Feb 2017

Shonky supplements ‘science’ a cash cow: The Four Corners (ABC) report on complementary supplements showed unequivocally that multivitamins are a waste of money and just create “very expensive urine”. The Australian Medical Association president also says there is a lack of evidence showing multivitamins work.

How much Australians spend on health: Roughly a third of what individuals spend on health – to the tune of $9.3 billion – goes on vitamins, supplements, over-the-counter painkillers and other unsubsidised drugs. It is more than the combined sum we spend on dental care and hospitals.

Why is WHO guilty of WOO?: Acupuncturists claim that they can treat serious illnesses, including depression, dysentery, osteoarthritis, polio, schizophrenia and whooping cough. As ‘evidence’ they refer to the World Health Organisation (WHO). WHO claims that acupuncture can cure some ailments. Does this match the evidence?

Calling Bullshit in the Age of Big Data: “Our world is saturated with bullshit. Learn to detect and defuse it.” A new critical thinking course has been developed that will be available via the internet later this year.